Drumming with Matt Savage

This Saturday Claudia McIvor and I attended a workshop sponsored by the Greater Tampa Bay Area Orff Chapter. Matt Savage, a talented percussionist and drum circle leader, shared drumming techniques and tips with us on incorporating drumming into our classrooms and school communities. We had a great time learning and making beautiful music. At the end to the day all of us teachers left inspired and anxious to get back to teaching!


"See the rhythm
Hear the rhythm
Feel the rhythm
Play the rhythm
Live the rhythm
The rhythm is life
Rhythm alive!"

from Rhythm Alive by Matt Savage

A great start to the year for all!

What a week! I have met with each class for music and everyone is excited for this year! After reviewing our safety drills and music room rules I got to know a little more about your children. Kindergarten created a Wordle based on what they know about music and grades 1-4 took a survey on their likes and desires as a musician.


With the help of the book Otto Goes to the Beach by Todd Parr, first graders began reading rhythms. Students matched up a phrase in the book, "Poor Otto," with quarter notes and double eighth notes. They then created a new rhythm and retold the story on their own.

Welcome Back

Welcome back from a wonderful summer. My summer started with Sewing Camp. Mrs. Bell and I taught a group of already talented sewers how to make everything from pillows to lunch bags. Inspired by our campers, I continued to sew all summer long. This bag is one of my favorite summer projects.


I also traveled a bit. My favorite trip was up to Vermont. The rolling hills and fresh fruit were unforgettable! This picture was taken at the Billings Farm and Museum, where I saw a quilt show and got to felt wool!


I hope you are looking forward to this school year as much as I am! We have a full year of exciting lessons and performances and I can't wait to get started. As you walk into the music room please take note of my favorite poster which reads, "It's okay to make a mistake when you've tried. It's a mistake not to try." I want to encourage you all to try new things and to step out of your comfort zone this year. Don't be afraid-go for it! I'll be right there with you.

4th Grade Talent Show

Mr Hughes' Class

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Ms. Tucker's Class








Ms. Lemon's Class

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Untitled from Valerie Díaz Leroy on Vimeo.

Mr. Lee's Class

Chorus Performs Celebrate You and Me

The 3rd and 4th Grade performed Celebrate You and Me to a packed house yesterday. Students had so much fun preparing for this musical about how to build positive self esteem. Members of the chorus painted shirts and created signs to represent the concepts of health, friendship, respect, belief in oneself, and good decision making highlighted in the play. The audience laughed in delight and shed tears of joy for these upstanding citizens!

Earth Day Songs

In honor of Earth Day Third Graders used paper from the recycling bins to write new lyrics to "This Land is Your Land." When writing students took into consideration the form and rhyming pattern of the original song.

Kindergarten Musicals

The Kindergarten performances of "3 Piggy Opera" and "The Little Red Hen" received rounds of applause from students and families. All students learned songs to highlight the two stories. Half of the Kindergarten students acted out their specific character parts on the stage. The other half recorded their narrated parts in the music room last week in preparation for this amazing show.

3 PIGGY OPERA




The Little Red Hen